Ice Lake

Ice Lake is a primitive backcountry camping area with no amenities. There are no facilities, water sources (besides the lake itself, which requires filtration), bathrooms, or trash services. Campfires are not permitted at this high-elevation site. Cell service is unavailable, so plan accordingly for emergency communication. This is truly a self-sufficient camping experience where you must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

Ice Lake is accessible via a paved road that leads to the trailhead in the Wallowa Mountains. From the trailhead, it's a 9-mile hike (one-way) to reach Ice Lake. The trail is considered relatively accessible for a backcountry destination, though you should be prepared for the distance. Make sure to check current trail conditions before departing and bring appropriate navigation tools as this is a backcountry destination. The hike gains significant elevation, bringing you to approximately 8,000 feet at the lake.

The best time to camp at Ice Lake is during summer months when the trail is typically clear of snow and temperatures are more moderate at the 8,000-foot elevation. Weather can change rapidly in the Wallowa Mountains, so come prepared for varying conditions regardless of season. Early summer brings wildflowers while late summer offers more stable weather patterns. Be aware that even summer nights can be quite cold at this elevation, and the lake water remains extremely cold year-round.

Activities around Ice Lake include hiking, photography, stargazing, and wildlife observation. For ambitious hikers, you can extend your adventure with a day hike to the Matterhorn, the second tallest peak in the area after Sacajawea Peak, though this adds significant elevation gain. Swimming is possible but challenging due to the extremely cold water temperatures. The pristine alpine setting offers exceptional landscape photography opportunities. With no light pollution, nighttime stargazing is remarkable. Bird watching and wildflower identification (seasonal) are also popular activities in this remote wilderness area.